Climate change and our grandchildren’s future

rubysong

We had a very sobering talk at WI about the climate emergency. We now realise the government is doing nothing to educate us about why it is happening and what can be done. Keir Starmer said just this week he isn't going to tell people how to live their lives. That is exactly what he should be doing. Why are we still getting masses of adverts on TV for cruises and other holidays, when air travel and cruises are so bad for the environment? Money and jobs of course, but difficult decisions will need to be taken by all countries and so far there is no sign of that happening.

I dont disagree. We talk about climate change in L party locally a lot.

But truly, I can just see the threads on here if Starmer stopped the ads for example? "dictatorship nanny state" etc etc. And OTOH initiatives for change get shot down as inadequate, cost too much....

rubysong

We had a very sobering talk at WI about the climate emergency. We now realise the government is doing nothing to educate us about why it is happening and what can be done. Keir Starmer said just this week he isn't going to tell people how to live their lives. That is exactly what he should be doing. Why are we still getting masses of adverts on TV for cruises and other holidays, when air travel and cruises are so bad for the environment? Money and jobs of course, but difficult decisions will need to be taken by all countries and so far there is no sign of that happening.

I agree re KS. In fact, with most of your post - no one with any authority seems to be taking drastic steps to sort out this mess. I am willing to forego holidays, even my (much needed) car if we all work together to make it possible and to find a way to keep the economy going despite the changes that are required.

I am beginning to regret having children for that very reason I’m sure they will not and hopefully neither will their children but I’m no longer sure after that
I don’t believe humans are the only blame the climate change has happened back in history before we could do any real damage but we are definitely not helping the planet 😢

Climate change is a scam and a very sinister one that is destroying the future for our children - not because of what is happening to the planet but because of the depression, fear and despair induced. 'Climate change denier' has become an insulting label, and an excuse to reject all those (and there are many of them) genuine scientists who dispute the 'evidence' for human-caused climate change. Yes, there is always climate change, always has been, but global warming is in dispute and certainly the role of fossil fuels has been distorted. Why? As always, follow the money. The net zero nonsense is also a handy way to frighten and control people. We need carbon in the atmosphere, it makes things grow. What we do not need are greedy corporations and cynical governments who put forward a scary myth, silence debate and meanwhile ignore REAL environmental concerns, such as pollution. Check out 'Climate Change, the Cold Truth' on youtube

My worry would be more about what sort of world they’d be living in. But yes, previous posters are probably right. We have some amazing scientists and there’s always hope that they can turn things round. In the meantime we can only do our best.

My nephew and his wife have chosen to remain childless for the same reason.

I couldn't agree more Rubysong. Nowhere near enough media time is devoted to the perils of climate change. I have been known to politely ask friends who have several holidays abroad every year 'Doesn't climate change worry you?'. One said that they always recycled, another that she really needed a holiday every few weeks as she 'can't live without a tan - haha' and yet another is happily convinced that science will come to the rescue so no need for us to do anything. If only!

I recall in the early 1970s people being urged to build nuclear fallout shelters on their property. You could get plans for them. My dad thought of going into business producing them. We didn't actually do any and so far we haven't needed them.

No, I don't think people should stop having children because of this. The effect on the world populations will be minimal if they stick to one or two kiddies per couple. Then bring up those kiddies to be responsible for the world they are in, leading by example, recycling, not wasting stuff, make-do-and-mend, grow fruit and veg, get involved with local initiatives, and if possible become scientists or responsible politicians.

I heard on Radio 4 recently that China is actually way ahead with technologies for dealing with climate change, and that we as a world have enough knowledge to turn things around even at this late stage.. It needs the will of governments and people to work together now..
I understand your GD's thoughts and she probably reflects a lot of young people.. but I don't think I would give up yet..

She may be right to be worried, but to give up on children, the future generation, is foolish. I remember hearing the same argument in the mid 1970s from a couple of a similar age to me; they did not have children because of their concerns about the state of the world then, and the wife later admitted she very much regretted it. The husband, I now think, did not want children anyway.

It's the elephant in the room, isn't it.

When AIDS was top of the agenda there were Government information films shown on every TV channel. Now people get their info differently but it still ought to be possible.
I guess when you have climate emergency deniers in charge of nations it has to be up to the rest of us to make sure the facts are understood.

I agree, rubysong. Instead of any sort of education we recently had a light-hearted feature on our local news about what a clever idea it is to hop over to Dublin and back by plane for a day out with the children because it’s cheaper than going to London by train. Not a hint that there might be any downside to this.

We had a very sobering talk at WI about the climate emergency. We now realise the government is doing nothing to educate us about why it is happening and what can be done. Keir Starmer said just this week he isn't going to tell people how to live their lives. That is exactly what he should be doing. Why are we still getting masses of adverts on TV for cruises and other holidays, when air travel and cruises are so bad for the environment? Money and jobs of course, but difficult decisions will need to be taken by all countries and so far there is no sign of that happening.

In her position I would be feeling the same way. And I don’t think it’s all down to world leaders, though ultimately they are the ones who will have to force us into changing our ways.

This is very sad, but yes, she is right.